Golfe Juan combines a fine sandy coastline with a small traditional harbour and a history dating back to 1 March 1815. When planning your trip, you can first consider whether beaches and the sea, the harbour and history, or the landscape should be the focus. If you’re looking for a hotel in Golfe Juan, this gives you a practical starting point for choosing your destination.
Beaches and finding your way along the coast
The Bay of Golfe-Juan has 3.5 kilometres of coastline with fine sandy beaches. Two names help you find your way: Plage du Soleil, also known as Plage Picasso, is east of the Vieux Port, in the direction of Cannes. Plage du Midi stretches from Port Camille Rayon along the coast towards Juan-les-Pins. The two beach areas therefore differ in their landmarks and the direction in which they lie. If you’re making the beach your focus, you can consider which of these coastal locations matters more for your trip.
The harbour and activities on the water
The Vieux Port is a small, traditional Mediterranean public harbour near the centre of Golfe-Juan. Activities in Golfe-Juan include sport fishing, snorkelling trips, and introductory and exploratory dives. There are several types of activities to choose from, from sport fishing and snorkelling to diving. Providers and availability can change, so check which options are available for your dates before travelling.
Napoleon’s landing and local history
A stele at the harbour commemorates Napoleon’s landing with the inscription “ici débarqua Napoléon le 1er mars 1815”. He landed in Golfe-Juan on 1 March 1815; the episode known as the “Hundred Days” began here. The Parcours historique du port de Golfe-Juan is also installed along Quai Tabarly. Historical photographs tell the story of the Vieux-Port; the exhibition content may be updated.
Beyond the harbour, the Ecomusée de l’oranger bigaradier explores the history of processing bitter orange tree products. It is housed in the first distillery built in Golfe-Juan, in 1904. A playful, educational tour features stills, a machine for extracting essential oil and other historical equipment. Visitors can follow the production of goods using traditional, time-honoured recipes. The museum offers a different cultural focus from the commemoration of Napoleon’s landing: here, the emphasis is on harvesting and processing bitter oranges.
Panoramas and routes
The Parc naturel départemental du massif du Paradou is located on the heights of Golfe-Juan, near the beaches, and covers 12 hectares. The Massif du Paradou offers expansive panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, the Îles de Lérins, Cap d’Antibes and the Fourmigue lighthouse. The fine sandy coastline and the views from the heights offer two distinct landscape experiences.
The routes also offer different points of interest. The historic Route Napoléon connects Golfe-Juan with Grenoble and follows the route associated with Napoleon’s journey in March 1815. It extends the historical connection beyond the landing here to the link with Grenoble. For cyclists, the 2.6-kilometre “Les Mirandoles” section is an addition to the “La Littorale” coastal cycle route. The section’s length provides a useful guide for planning; as route conditions can change, check them before setting off.
For an overview of the wider trip: Vallauris.
